2 | the gilded age Flashcards
Who was Hayes?
A lawyer from Ohio. In 1861, he became an officer in the Union army. He was elected to Congress in 1865 and was the governor of Ohio. He became the republican candidate for the election of 1876 as a republican. He was a moderate in policies and personality, and was acceptable to most of the various factions within the party. He spoke the language of compromise and reconciliation but his promises to give home rule to the south and to protect civil rights of all citizens didn’t mean much as it was impossible to do both.
Who was Samuel Tilden?
Active in state politics and became a successful corporate lawyer. Elected as New York governor in 1874. His attempts to curb financial corruption (Tweed Ring) enhanced his reputation so he became the democratic nominee but was narrowly defeated. He was also a moderate reformer but his campaign could only survive with support from the southern democrats.
Result of the election of 1876
Electoral vote - 185 republican, 184 democrat
The election was contentious because of the context of the political deadlock over reconstruction and the closeness of the vote
Tilden narrowly won the popular vote with 51% and Hayes getting 48%. But elections are decided by the Electoral College’s vote and the outcome was confused. Democrats claimed Tilden won SC, Florida and Louisiana which was enough, but the republicans still had power in these states so could disqualify enough of these votes as invalid to change the election results and declare Hayes the winner. Clear electoral fraud on both sides. Political stalemate
What did this election issue create?
Congress convened a special electoral commission to find a way out. It contained 15 members, seven of each party and one independent. Likely to result in a deadlock but the independent resigned and was replaced by a republican, so they awarded the presidency to Hayes.
What was the Compromise of 1877?
Hayes was willing to make compromises with his opponents to be confirmed as president, to rebuild national unity and win acceptance in south. After negotiations, Hayes offered to remove all federal troops from the south, provide federal aid and back railroads and public works in the south. It was accepted that this would mean the completion of the redemption of the south. For the democrats, this was a small price to pay to give up Tilden’s post to get all of this, and it was easy for them to promise to treat all freedmen fairly because they wouldn’t actually do it. This marked the end of reconstruction.
Purpose of the compromise of 1877
To resolve the fraught political issues arising from the election and to allow the presidential government to function. This was achieved as the democrats recognised Hayes as the legitimate president and in his one term, he did a lot to restore political respectability. But removing the federal troops took all force out of the enforcement acts and other legislation created to implement the 14 and 15 amendments.
What did the democrats stand for?
Both parties were still evolving and were coalitions of different regional and sectional factions, without a consistent nationwide programme.
States’ rights, white supremacy in the south, a limited role for the federal government, low tariffs in the interest of the little man. Often based in the east in New York.
What did the republicans stand for?
The party of the Union. Favoured big businesses, high protective tariffs, the values of native-born Americans outside the south. Lots of them came from New England like Illinois and Ohio.
Why was Hayes a weak president?
His narrow, disputed victory and his promise not to seek re election in 1880 made him a lane duck president from the beginning, his political opponents had been greatly strengthened by the terms of the compromise.
What did the compromise essentially allow democrats to do?
Gained control of remaining unredeemed states. The southern states became the ‘Solid South’, a region of one-party governments where the democratic candidate was certain to win elections. This grip on the south allowed the Redeemers to dismantle in practice much of the reform legislation from reconstruction. Black voting rights were undermined and discriminatory changes to the law damaged the economic position of black agricultural labourers by tying them to landowners.
Hayes’ Presidency - civil service reform
He did much to restore political respectability. He kept his promise of one term and he tried to reform the civil service to root out patronage (rewarding loyal supporters with posts) and the spoils system (those in office using the governments money to reward their supporters). This was necessary because most civil service posts were given out to reward loyal supporters with the opportunity to make money, not to provide honest public service. Hayes wanted to award jobs through merit. Legislation didn’t pass during his presidency, but he started the process for further reform under his successors.
Opposition to Hayes’ reform
Stalwarts, led by the Republican Party boss from NY, Roscoe Conklin. Civil service reform split the party and Hayes sacked Arthur, one of Conklin’s key supporters. Conklin controlled NY Custom House, and imports were manipulated so businesses had to bribe them to release their product.
What was the National Nominating Convention?
Convention held by democrats and republicans which has an important role in election years. Party delegations meet here to nominate the candidates and to decide on the policies to be included in the party’s manifesto. Sometimes it is just a formality and sometimes a surprise candidate emerges last minute.
National Nominating Convention 1880
By the time this came around, the Republican Party was divided in finding a successor to Hayes. There were 2 powerful factions in the party, the Stalwarts and the Half-breeds, a reformist group led by senator James Blaine. The Stalwarts supported Grant making a comeback and he seemed likely to be nominated, but it became deadlocked between Grant and Blaine. Therefore, James Garfield rose as a successful dark horse candidate and as a way of reuniting the party, Garfield accepted Stalwart Arthur as his running mate.
Garfield as President
Garfield won by 10,000 votes. He made a strong early impression, was a self educated man like Lincoln and he was respected for his honesty and for the quality of men appointed to high positions. During his presidency, he strengthened federal authority over NY Custom House and replaced Conkling with his rival, Robertson. However, he was assassinated in July and died on 19 September 1881 after incompetent medical treatment caused infection
Who replaced Garfield?
Chester Arthur, a man of limited talent and dubious integrity. He was linked to Conkling and the spoils system and was only chosen to be VP as a concession to party unity. He was a mediocre president, and managed to pass the Pendleton Act 1883, which was the first law intended to begin the professional handling of the civil service, making a merit system for promotions and ensured continuity in federal employees even if the White House changed party.
Democratic revival - election 1884
Grover Cleveland became first democratic president since 1868, by 25,000 votes. One reason why he won was due to support from immigrants and southerners because he promised to keep tariffs low. Another reason was his promise to tackle corruption and end the spoils system. His attempts to deliver these promises infuriated pro business republicans. He won over Blaine because of mugwumps (wanted meritocracy instead of spoils) who lost support for Blaine.
Cleveland’s presidency
Reduced number of federal employees
Later he replaced more republicans with democrats
Most decisions were influenced by merit
Didn’t fire any republicans doing their jobs well.
He vetoed a lot because he faced a republican senate, like private pensions for war veterans bills, and bill for pensions for disabilities, and 1887 Texas Seed Bill (drought ruined crops so wanted $10,000 for seed grain).
Benjamin Harrison - election 1888
Republican candidate. Campaigned on the need for a high protective tariff. He won narrowly. Key factor in his victory was support from the Grand Army of the Republic, an organisation founded to represent veterans of the northern armies. Cleveland refused their demands, saying they were corrupt. Harrison’s presidency was marked by his determination to reward his supporters in GAR and big businesses. Civil War veterans received pensions and hospitals, and big businesses got the McKinley Tariff in 1890 making tariffs higher than before. Example of pork barrel politics
Political corruption
Both the main parties, especially locally and state, were shot through with patronage and pork-barrel politics (the way politicians passed laws to dole out federal funds to reward favoured people or regions who backed them). The Tweed Ring and its associations with the corrupt political machine of Tammany Hall was a demonstration of this. The tendencies towards political corruption were accentuated by the power and influence of big businesses. The large cartels and trusts (corporations and combinations of companies who joined together to raise more capital to gain control of key markets) could buy companies, banks, railroads and even politicians.
How did the political machine work?
Residents vote for candidates supported by political machines
Machines maintain power over city govs
Political machines work to control city policies
Run by powerful ‘Boss’ who has influence with or over other city officials
Machines hand out jobs, contracts and favours to city residents in exchange for votes
Corruption by 1890
Greater awareness of the nature and extent of political corruption and patronage. Powerful backlash began. Pressure to reform businesses and politics grew. The power of cartels and trusts caused criticism and demands for reform and regulation. Demands caused Congress to pass the Sherman Antitrust Act in 1890, which ensured fair competition in businesses - trusts were a method used by businesses to organise a monopoly and this act used federal powers over interstate commerce to respect these practices. Cartels and trust were seen as agricultural enemies so they began to protest and this was gaining wide support
